Our Statement on the Mideast

Created for A Jewish Voice for Peace and adapted from a statement from Tikkun

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We are Jews, with a profound love for the State and People of Israel. Everything we are doing here is deeply informed by that Jewish identity. We strongly desire security and prosperity for the State of Israel. Additionally, we hold that both sides are responsible for their protracted conflict and both sides can do something to end it.

The Jewish tradition has a strong commitment to the principles of Shalom-Peace, and Tzedek-Justice. We feel that we have both a practical and an ethical responsibility to Israel, to Jews, to Palestinians, and to the World. This responsibility calls us to question whether supporting Israel means supporting the current actions of the Sharon government and the Israeli Army. For us, being Pro-Israel means publicly criticizing the actions of the Israeli government when we believe that they fail to provide long-term security to Israelis and when they stand against Jewish ethics.

In particular, we hold that invading and demolishing Palestinian cities, villages, and refugee camps in the name of "Destroying Terror Networks" is un-Jewish and will only serve to further polarize the Palestinian populace, feeding the rage that in the long run yields only more terrorism, not peace.

Palestinian terrorism is morally outrageous and is an illegitimate means of national liberation. It will only lead Israelis to be more fearful and react with violence and hate against Palestinians.

An international peacekeeping force is necessary in order to protect the two peoples while a peace plan can be determined and implemented .

The Israeli government must embrace a constructive vision of a long-term solution for peace, including:

Dismantling the illegal settlements in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem and withdrawing from these areas – the end of the occupation is a prerequisite for a just and lasting peace
The creation of an independent politically and economically viable Palestinian state
Reparations for Palestinian refugees
Working towards Jewish/Arab and Israeli/Palestinian reconciliation
The Palestinian people must do their part by renouncing violence as a legitimate weapon for national liberation and instead turn to the path of non-violence, which we will, without a doubt be more effective for their cause.

The Arab world in general must also renounce terror as a means to gain Palestinian independence, end its financial support of terror in the region, accept that Israel will not be driven out, and turn instead to political means to their peaceful goals.